* '''Kensington Tented Camp''', [http://kensingtoncamps.com/home-mara.cfm/] Each of the camp's eight Suswa tents are carefully spread along the riverbank in this pristine 80 acre reserve. Isolated and private, yet situated in the midst of a teeming corner of the legendary Mara park, guests will savor this close connection with nature.

* '''Kensington Tented Camp''', [http://kensingtoncamps.com/home-mara.cfm/] Each of the camp's eight Suswa tents are carefully spread along the riverbank in this pristine 80 acre reserve. Isolated and private, yet situated in the midst of a teeming corner of the legendary Mara park, guests will savor this close connection with nature.

−

* '''Kilima Camp''',[http://www.kilimacamp.com], Email: info@kilimacamp.com, Kilima Camp is an intimate eco-friendly camp and it consists in 14 tents (10 standard tents and 2 Deluxe tents). Kilima means "mountain" in Swahili and the camp is located on top of the Siria escapement,15 minutes from Oloololo Gate and the Mara Triangle. It benefits from an amazing view over the Mara river and the plains.

Kilima Camp is an intimate eco-friendly camp and it consists in 14 tents (10 standard tents and 2 Deluxe tents). Kilima means "mountain" in Swahili and the camp is located on top of the Siria escapement,15 minutes from Oloololo Gate and the Mara Triangle. It benefits from an amazing view over the Mara river and the plains.

* '''Ngerende Island Lodge''',[http://www.ngerende.com], Email: info@ngerende.com, A luxury safari lodge strategically located at the edge of the Mara river. The lodge comprises of only seven elegant suites, stylishly designed to guarantee guests great comfort and exclusivity while on their safari in the Masai Mara.

* '''Ngerende Island Lodge''',[http://www.ngerende.com], Email: info@ngerende.com, A luxury safari lodge strategically located at the edge of the Mara river. The lodge comprises of only seven elegant suites, stylishly designed to guarantee guests great comfort and exclusivity while on their safari in the Masai Mara.

Revision as of 14:22, 11 September 2012

Sunrise over Masai Mara

Maasai Mara National Reserve is in the south west of Kenya. The Maasai Mara is not a National Park, but rather a National Reserve belonging to the Maasai people and administered by the local county councils. It is one of the best known and most popular reserves in Africa.

Contents

Understand

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is each year visited by thousands of tourists, who come here to watch the many different wildlife and birdlife species in the reserve. The reserve is especially famous for the high amount of predators, such as lions and cheetah, and the 1.5 million wildebeest which migrate through the Mara and cross the crocodile infested Mara river.

The best kept secret of the Mara is the Mara Triangle[1], the North-Western part of the Maasai Mara which is managed by the Mara Conservancy on behalf of Trans-Mara County Council - the rest of the reserve falls under Narok County Council. Although one third of the Mara, The Mara Triangle has only one lodge within its boundaries (compared to the numerous camps and lodges on the Narok side) and has well maintained, all weather roads. The rangers patrol regularly which means that there is almost no poaching and therefore excellent game viewing. There is also strict control over vehicle numbers around animal sightings which means a better, more authentic, experience when out on a game drive.

History

Arrowheads and pottery discarded by Neolithic man 2000 years ago have been found in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Since the 17th century the Masai have occupied the area - of course together with the wildlife, who are the true landlords here. The Maasai Mara National Reserve as it appears today was established in 1961, and covers 1,510 sq km (583 sq miles).

Landscape

The Maasai Mara is characterized by four different kinds of topography: sandy soil and small bushes to the east, the Siria Escarpment forming a spectacular plateau as the western boundary of the reserve, lush grasslands and woodlands around the Mara River and open plains with scattered bushes making up the largest part of the reserve. The landscape is very varied and has a romantic feeling to it, as can be witnessed in the film 'Out of Africa', which was filmed on top of the Siria in 1985.

Flora and fauna

When visiting the Maasai Mara you are likely to see the famous Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Especially lions are common here, and have grown relatively accustomed to their two-legged visitors, which makes them easier to spot. The Mara Plains are teeming with wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala and Thomson's gazelle. Also cheetahs, hyenas and jackals are seen regularly in the reserve. In the Mara River large amounts of hippos and crocodiles are enjoying their lives - the crocodiles are especially happy in July and November when thousands of wildebeest migrate across the river causing a sumptuous feast for the hungry crocodiles.
Birdlife in Maasai Mara are abundant and diverse. Species such as eagles, ostriches, storks and vultures are among the more than 50 different birds of prey.

Climate

Maasai Mara is located 1,500-2,200 m (4,900-7,100 ft) above sea level, which makes the climate slightly damper and milder than in other similar regions. Highest temperatures in daytime is 30C/85F (warmest in December and January, coldest in June and July), at night the temperature rarely drops below 15C/60F.

The rainy season is April-May and November. In these periods some parts of the Mara will get very muddy and practically inaccessible. The dry season occurs from July to October. This is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara as a lot of herbivores indulge in the plants grown long and lush after the rains - plus, in these months you will stay clear of heavy showers.

Get in

The Maasai Mara National Reserve not the largest conservation area in Kenya but it is the most famous one. The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are part of the same eco-system. The official perimeter of the Masai Mara National Reserve is bounded by the Serengeti Park of Tanzania to the south, the Siria escarpment (also called Oloololo escarpment) to the west and Masai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. Total surface is 1530km². There is no fence. The estern border is the Oloololo Escarpment (Siria escarpmen) and wildlife tend to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal.

The Masai Mara is accessible by flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport and from Samburu, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki or Mombasa or Diani . The aircraft will land on one of the small Mara airstrips, and from here you need to transfer by car to your particular lodge or camp. The flight from Nairobi takes about half an hour.
Flying to the Masai Mara is the qieckest option and best option (especially if you stay in the Mara Triangle [2] which is the eastern part of the Masai Mara) It is more expensive than hiring a vechicle with a professional guide is a good option esceptially if there are more than 2 persons travelling.

If you choose to go by car from Nairobi the drive will take you five to six hours during the dry season, and up to seven hours in the rainy season. By car you can enter the game reserve through these gates: Sand River, Musiara, Talek, Sekenani or Oloololo Gate which is the farest from Nairobi (there with less vehciles and tourist disruption)

Please remember that the roads in the reserve can become flooded or turned into mud puddles in the rainy seasons in April, May and November.

A lot of travel agencies organise safari trips to Maasai Mara. You can book a package tour[3], which allows you to put all transportation to and in the park in their hands. You can also organise your trip directly and contact the camps and lodges directly. Many will also assist you to book your local flights for instance or organise your trip.

Fees/Permits

Park Fee is USD 80 per adult per night, valid for 24h

USD 45 per child above 3 year below 18

below 3 : free of charge

This Park Fee - Entry Fee- will allow you to go on game drive in one the the 3 part of the official perimeter of the Masai Mara National Reserve (there are 3 areas or districts: North Conservancy, Keekoroke and Mara Tiangle). The areas are independent and if you pay the park fee for one of them you can not visit another part unless you pay a second park fee.

Kindly note that there is a different fee if the lodge or camp you stay in is inside the official perimeter of the Masai Mara National Reserve. For instance for the Mara Triangle the only lodge inside the Mara Triangle, Park Fees are 70 per adult and 40 per child. If you stay for instance at Kilima Camp [4]or Mpata for instance will be pay $80 / adlut valid for 24h.

Conservancy fee may also apply and be charged

The conservancies have been created around the Maasai Mara Official perimeter to help protect the Maasai Mara, and to help the Maasai people who live in the area.

You can book your tour of the National Reserve with a reliable tour operator that will usually bundle the park fee, the accommodation, and the safari car and driver fees to make sure that you can enjoy your adventure and not have to worry about the details.

If you book directly your accommodation in the Masai Mara, the camp and lodge usually collect the Park Fees and and Conservancy Fee (if any). It will avoid you to carry extra cash.

Get around

Moving around in Maasai Mara National Reserve must only take place by car - preferably by 4-wheel safari vehicles. Because of the wild animals it is absolutely forbidden to move about on foot outside the camp sites and lodges.
A more unconventional way to get around in the reserve is by hot air balloon trips[5], which is a great way to see the animals and the area a little from above.
2009 BOOKINGS The financial crisis has prompted safari lodges and hotels in East Africa to start offering some very interesting deals. We will be pleased to suggest special offers where applicable. Overall, safari prices have not increased greatly this year in US$ terms. However, the recent currency fluctuations have meant a significant increase in € and £ costs.
INTERNATIONAL & INTERNAL FLIGHTS
British Airways has been considering a new direct flight from London Heathrow to Kilimanjaro. KLM is the only European airline currently offering a direct service into Northern Tanzania.

See

The main attraction of this game reserve is, not surprisingly, game viewing. Go on morning, afternoon and night drives over several days in order to see as many as possible of the resident animals, such as lion, leopard, elephant, zebra, giraffe, Thomson's gazelle, hyena, rhino, hippo and the thousands of migrating wildebeest that makes this park so famous.

The Maasai (Masai) prepare cow for traditional ceremony

Many camp sites and lodges offer game drives with experienced drivers and skilled, well-informed guides. These are well worth your money, as they will provide you with priceless knowledge and help you spot animals you wouldn't see on your own.
And please catch as many sunuppers and -downers as you can.

Maasai Mara's most famous sight is the Great Migration, a great animal migration event that takes place in July and August every year.

There is a Maasai village near Oloolaimutiek gate of this game park. It is a good experience and will help you to deepen your understanding of the Maasai's culture and simple way of life.

Do

Go game viewing till you drop! If this gets a little monotonous (which it probably won't), you can go on a much recommended hot air balloon safari early in the morning and see the sun rising above the wildlife and the magnificent landscapes.
And do remember to take lots of photographs!
Some lodges and camps offer massage and wellness treatments making you able to combine wildlife watching with luxury.

Buy

You can buy strings of beads or beads already made up into necklaces and other pieces of jewellery at the gate and outside the entry to the park. There are also usually people selling film here.

If you want to support local communities do not buy trinkets from the camps and lodges and instead buy them from a local village - 'manyatta'.

Gametrackers, Nairobi, ☎+254 202222703, [6]. One of the oldest tour operators in Kenya and not only with great value tours, but also one of the most professional. Professional briefing, qualified guides and drivers, hygienic cooking and an authentic drive to protect environment and wildlife themselves.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

David Livingstone Safari Resort. David Livingstone Safari Resort is situated to the northeast of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Lemek Conservancy on a broad bend with hippo pools on the Mara River. The lodge is set in 40 acres of tropical gardens with indigenous plants and botanical gardens it commands one of most spectacular views in the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem; the lodge lies on the Mara River at the edge of Maasai Mara National Reserve and overlooks deep pools where crocodiles and hippos bask all day.

Kensington Tented Camp, [10] Each of the camp's eight Suswa tents are carefully spread along the riverbank in this pristine 80 acre reserve. Isolated and private, yet situated in the midst of a teeming corner of the legendary Mara park, guests will savor this close connection with nature.

Kilima Camp is an intimate eco-friendly camp and it consists in 14 tents (10 standard tents and 2 Deluxe tents). Kilima means "mountain" in Swahili and the camp is located on top of the Siria escapement,15 minutes from Oloololo Gate and the Mara Triangle. It benefits from an amazing view over the Mara river and the plains.

Ngerende Island Lodge,[12], Email: info@ngerende.com, A luxury safari lodge strategically located at the edge of the Mara river. The lodge comprises of only seven elegant suites, stylishly designed to guarantee guests great comfort and exclusivity while on their safari in the Masai Mara.

Camping

In the Mara Triangle part of the Maasai Mara there are both public and private campsites available to use.

There is a public campsite next to Oloololo gate with both shower and toilet facilities, and is very clean but very basic, with great views over the Mara and the protection of the rangers camp nearby.

There is also another public campsite next to Serena Hotel which has longdrop toilets.

The private campsites are located along the river and have a special booking fee. For full details of payment amounts and availability of campsites go to the Mara Triangle website [13]

None of the camp site are fenced. Therefore it is highly recommended to hire rangers for security especially during the night time security or to organise your fly camp with a professional. Strict rules applies as well.

Some lodges and camps offer fly camping to their clients. The fly camp team will make sure you have a comfortable, safe and unforgettable memories. For instance Kilima Camp combine 1 or 2 nights in Fly camp with 2 or 3 nights at Kilima Camp (on top of the escapement)[14]